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'I never would have thought I'd be this close to making it'

By PA
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Rookie Ireland utility back Jimmy O’Brien hopes his versatility will make his Rugby World Cup dream come true. The 26-year-old only made his Test debut in the 2022 Autumn Nations Series but has already played in three different positions across six caps.

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Head coach Andy Farrell will on Monday reduce his squad to a final 33 for the tournament in France following Saturday’s final audition against Samoa in Bayonne.

Leinster player O’Brien, who can operate at full-back, wing or outside centre, is determined to make the cut and does not mind which role he plays. “It’s a dream of any young lad growing up playing rugby in Ireland,” he said on the prospect of being selected.

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“To be honest, years ago I never would have thought I would be this close to making it, so it would be a big dream of mine. Obviously, I have played a good few positions at this stage now and they [the coaching staff] kind of trust me in a few.

“Hopefully, it helps when they pick the squad but I’m not sure. When I started off, I was 13, I used to say that (was my favoured position). Then I used to say 15.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

3
Wins
3
1
Streak
1
10
Tries Scored
16
-9
Points Difference
-13
4/5
First Try
2/5
3/5
First Points
2/5
4/5
Race To 10 Points
3/5

“I don’t really mind at this stage. I don’t think I change too much how I play. It’s mainly in defence that changes a bit with 15, wing and 13. But, wherever I can get on the pitch, I’ll play it. There is no real kind of preference.”

O’Brien was thrust into the Test arena in the number 13 role as a replacement against world champions South Africa in November following a first-half injury to Stuart McCloskey. He began at full-back against Fiji a week later before being moved to the left wing for the subsequent clash with Australia.

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Cameos in midfield and at 15 followed during the Six Nations before his third Test start came at full-back in a 33-17 victory over Italy earlier this month. O’Brien insists he will put the squad’s best interests ahead of his own.

“I’m just trying to fit into the team and do what I do well, not trying to go off on your own,” he said. “That is the opposite way of going about it. We talk about being the best version of yourself and that is how everyone else around you is going to play well.

“I’ll just try to do what I do well for Leinster and in the previous games I have played for Ireland and hopefully that gets me picked.”

Following the retirement of Rob Kearney after the 2019 World Cup, Hugo Keenan has nailed down Ireland’s full-back position. O’Brien appears to be the first-choice understudy for that role and has been taking tips from his provincial team-mate.

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“Hugo has been unbelievable,” he said. “He is one of my closest friends in rugby – and outside of rugby, to be honest. We get on great. The depth of the squad in every position, you need the next man up.

“Hugo has helped me out massively and the two of us talk about it a good bit, about the position, and try and help each other out. It’s important having someone (covering) in every position.”

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B
BeamMeUp 1 hour ago
The Springboks have something you don't have

A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!


The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.


Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)


I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.


This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).


This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.


Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!


Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍

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